Stop Radical Sex Ed Protests

Thousands of parents across Ontario took to the streets during the province-wide Stop Radical Sex Ed day of protest on September 2nd. Parents, grandparents and concerned citizens rallied at the constituency office of nearly every single MPP in Ontario. In total, there were 103 rallies at MPPs' local constituency offices, spread throughout every pocket of the province.

The protesters, a richly diverse mix of ethnicities, cultures, faiths, and socio-economic classes, all demanded with one voice, that their elected representative work to repeal the age-inappropriate, Liberal sex curriculum. The Canadian Families Alliance (CFA), the organizer of the demonstration, a coalition of dozens of parental and community groups, said the massive protest also brought many new parents into the fight, who learned about the curriculum for the first time as result of the protests.

Reports from rally leaders show very impressive civil engagement. Many ridings saw more than a hundred protestors standing up for parental rights, impressive for a week day when many would have had to book time off work.

At most locations, the volunteer Team Leader read a statement to the MPP or to a designated staff representative. It outlined the main arguments for why parents oppose this radical sex-ed curriculum, urging their MPP to speak out against it. At most MPP offices, the staff was polite and respectfully listened to the concerns of constituents, even inviting them to use the washroom facilities inside the office. In some cases however, the Liberal MPP's office refused to speak with constituents and rudely told to get off "private property". In the case ofLiberal MPP Michael Chan (Markham-Unionville), parents were rudely met with locked doors and threats to call the police on them for trespassing!

These rallies produced hundreds of news reports including CTV, CBC, GLOBAL, and numerous mainstream and local newspapers. A large number of radio interviews were also conducted with Team Leaders, rally organizers and member of the CFA.

Where the Team Leaders for each protest location sent us a report of the event, photos and local media coverage, we have summarized them below by riding. We apologize for not having reports for all 103 protest locations due to the fact that some Team Leaders did not submit reports.

RALLY REPORTS FROM TEAM LEADERS:

Riding: AJAX-PICKERING MPP: JOE DICKSON (LIB)

The team leader and others were encouraged by the good turnout, and by the fact that the participants were so well-informed on the problems with the curriculum already.

The local Team Leader and participants said they are eager to join similar protests in future.

The Team Leader, who prefers to remain anonymous, had printed copies of the promotional flyer for the province-wide protest and handed it out to pedestrians walking by outside the MPP's office. The flyer itself served as a good educational resources for passersby who were unfamiliar with the curriculum.

Riding: BARRIE MPP: ANN HOGARTH (LIB)

Although the NDP is very much supportive of the Wynne/Levin sex curriculum, it was important for constituents to show their opposition to this bold intrusion by the government to sexualize young children.

Parents and grandparents participating in the protest were encouraged by the many supportive honks by drivers who saw their signs.

The event was also covered in a local news article by The Barrie Examiner which included a great photo.

Riding: BRAMPTON WEST MPP: VIC DHILLON (LIB)

About 50 concerned parents and grandparents rallied at the constituency office of Brampton West MP Vic Dhillon.

In addition to picketing outside the office and spreading the message to passersby, participants read a statement and presented petitions to the MPP’s staff.

The protesters were a diverse group including Catholics, Sikhs and people from other faiths.

Riding: BRANT MPP: DAVE LEVAC (LIB)

The rally at MPP Dave Levac’s office in Brantford had around 50 people show up.

Organizers were pleased with the turnout considering the size of the community and the short time-frame in which the rally was organized.

At 11;40 am, MPP Levac came outside to greet the protestors and listen to their concerns. Despite the fact that later on when speaking with a journalist, he dismissed parental concerns, he did assure them that he would pass on their grievances with the curriculum to Kathleen Wynne and the Education Minister Liz Sandals.

The protest's local Team Leader, Phyllis Cruickshank, followed up with Levac on September 4th, by giving him a powerful, science-based letter laying out some of the flaws with the sex curriculum which makes it dangerous for children.

A copy of the letter sent by MPP Levac to Education Minister Liz Sandals can be read here.

Parents can take satisfaction in the knowledge that MPP Levac has been put on notice. There can be no doubt in his mind now, that parents in his riding want this radical curriculum to be repealed.

If he ignores the request of constituents on this issue, that he joins publicly with parents in calling for the curriculum's repeal, he will do so at his own peril come ballot-casting time in Ontario's next general election (2018).

Riding: BRUCE-GREY-OWEN SOUND MPP: BILL WALKER (PC)

The Team Leader for this mini-rally was local mom, Amanda Preston. She reported that residents from the Owen Sound area were joined by a group of 18-20 cottagers to protest outside MPP Bill Walker's office on September 2nd between 11 am and noon to make their voice heard.

One of the individuals in attendance was Pastor Tina Drysdale from Crossroads Victory Church. Pastor Drysdale has a passion to see an end to the new sex ed curriculum and gathered a group of individuals who travelled to Queen's Park in May for a large protest. In fact, that was the spark which got Amanda involved, and ultimately became the Team Leader for this protest.

Amanda reported the overwhelming community support for the protest against radical sex-ed: "As we took a stand that day, we were joined by many people that drove by and gave a thumbs up, honked, waved in agreement or shouted out their window 'I agree' ", reported Amanda.

Amanda continued: "We were only greeted by a couple naysayers. The majority of drivers and pedestrians [walking by] were in agreement."

Unfortunately MPP Bill Walker was unavailable to meet the parent protestors, as he was attending a meeting that could not be rescheduled.

This event was broadcast on Facebook by local organizers and many individuals shared the event on their page and encouraged people to attend. As well, individuals reported to their Facebook page(s) after the event to show what had occurred that day.

Riding: BURLINGTON MPP: ELEANOR MCMAHON (LIB)

Even though MPP McMahon was ‘conveniently’ away and as a result not there to listen to the concerns of her constituents, about 20 parents rallied at her office and witnessed to passersby with their signs.

Riding: CARLETON-MISSISSIPPI MILLS MPP: JACK MACLAREN (PC)

Around 30 protesters picketed the constituency office of MPP Jack Maclaren in Kanata.

Riding: CHATHAM-KENT-ESSEX MPP: RICK NICHOLLS (PC)

A small crowd rallied outside the office of MPP Rick Nicholls in Chatham who joined in the concerns of his constituents.

When speaking to local media, MPP Nicholls questioned Wynne’s messaging when she used two 13 year old girls at a press conference to discuss sexual consent, when the legal age of consent is 16.

Riding: DON VALLEY WEST MPP: KATHLEEN WYNNE (LIB)

Spearheaded by the Thorncliffe Parent Association, the rally at the office of Premier Kathleen Wynne in Scarborough was one of the largest in the province bringing together around 150 parents from the community.

The rally was also one of the most diverse, with families of all ages and cultures coming together as one voice against Wynne’s radical sex-ed program.

This rally also produced quite a few media reports, bringing the issue to light. Rally organizers also handed office staff an invitation letter for a debate with the Canadian Families Alliance.

Riding: DUFFERIN-CALEDON MPP: SYLVIA JONES (PC)

A small group of consituents rallied outside the office of MPP Sylvia Jones in Orangeville.

Although the MPP was not there, her assistant stood in for her and listed to the rally leader read out their statement.

Following the rally, the group was able to book an appointment with their MPP to share their concerns and opposition to the radical sex-ed curriculum.

Riding: ELGIN-MIDDLESEX MPP: JEFF YUREK (PC)

A handful of concerned moms met with MPP Jeff Yurek in St. Thomas to share their concerns.

MPP Yurek told them that unfortunately there is very little opposition at Queen’s Park on this issue and that in the next election they will do what they can to reverse this.

He shared in their concerns and also stated that due to the teacher’s strikes, teachers will not receive any training to teach this material and that will not help the situation.

Riding: ETOBICOKE CENTRE MPP: YVAN BAKER (LIB)

More than a dozen parents rallied outside MPP Yvan Baker’s office in Etobicoke. The MPP was away at the time and office staff refused to come out to greet the protesters.

Riding: ETOBICOKE NORTH MPP: SHAFIQ QAADRI (LIB)

Around 45 people took part in the rally at the office of MPP Shafiq Qaadri in Etobicoke. The group was made up concerned parents from various religious backgrounds including Muslim, Protestant and Catholic.

Participants were encouraged by the positive response from the public. Rally leader reported that "Many of the cars passing by supported our group with honking, thumbs-up, and a few even stopped their cars to thank the protesters for opposing the sex-curriculum."

Some of the parents were interviewed by 680 News radio station.

Riding: HALIBURTON-KAWARTHA LAKES-BROCK MPP: LAURIE SCOTT (PC)

About a dozen parents rallied outside the office of MPP Laurie Scott in Lindsay, hold signs and engaging with passersby.

Riding: KINGSTON AND THE ISLANDS MPP: SOPHIE KIWALA (LIB)

The rally in Kingston at the office of MPP Sophie Kiwala saw a dozen parents address their concerns with staff members in the absence of the MPP.

In response to the team leader’s statement which highlighted what was wrong with the sex-ed curriculum, an office assistant gave the parents a 2 page “Myths vs Facts” sheet which omits many of the concerns raised by parents.

Riding: KITCHENER-CENTRE MPP: DAIENE VERNILE (LIB)

A handful of concerned parents rallied outside the office of MPP Vernile in Kitchener, expressing their concerns with the curriculum.

MPP Vernile was there and listened to the team leader read out a statement opposing Wynne's sex-ed program on behalf of those gathered and others in the riding.

Their concerns unfortunately didn't seem to resonate with their elected official as she later told media that this sex-ed curriculum will move ahead.

Riding: KITCHENER-WATERLOO MPP: CATHERINE FIFE (NDP)

A small crowd rallied outside the office of MPP Catherine Fife in Kitchener, and handed over a petition with almost 400 signatures from constituents opposed to the sex-ed curriculum.

Rally leaders set up a sound system so that their message could be heard loud and clear and addressed MPP Fife's representatives.

Riding: LANARK-FRONTENAC-LENNOX & ADDINGTON MPP: RANDY HILLIER (PC)

Around 30 concerned parents rallied outside the office of MPP Randy Hillier who much to their surprise held a sign and joined them.

Some media was there and interviewed both MPP Hillier and constituents.

Riding: LEEDS-GRENVILLE MPP: STEVE CLARK (PC)

The rally outside the office of Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark saw around 30 parents who met with the MPP and voiced their concerns.

MPP Clark told his constituents that he has been sending various grievances and petitions to the legislature on this issue and will continue to do so.

Rally organizers handed over additional petitions with around 120 signatures.

Riding: MARKHAM-UNIONVILLE MPP: MICHAEL CHAN (LIB)

About 25 parents showed up at the constituency office MPP Michael Chan in Markham.

Unlike most other MPPs and staff members across the province who were welcoming and willing to listen to the concerns of constituents, MPP Chan’s staff refused to accept the letters and petitions, let alone open the door to the office for the team leader.

Instead, staffers spoke through the mail slot stating that the parents were not allowed on private property, accusing them of trespassing and threatened to call the police. What a warped sense of democracy and what disdain for constituents.

Riding: MISSISSAUGA-ERINDALE MPP: HARINDER TAKHAR (LIB)

Approximately 50 concerned parents showed up at MPP Harinder Takhar’s office in Mississauga with many signs and banners.

MPP Takhar was there and interacted with the crowd for about 20 minutes, claiming that the sex-ed curriculum is a done deal. Team leaders gave MPP Takhar signed petitions along with a print out on the recent Steve Tourloukis case. (Ongoing case between a concerned Father suing a Hamilton School board for refusing to allow him to pull his children from classes where moral issues contrary to his family values are taught. For more information on this case click here)

About a dozen media outlets showed up interviewing the MPP and the protestors.

Riding: MISSISSAUGA STREETSVILLE MPP: BOB DELANY (PC)

A rally of about 40 people took place at the constituency office of MPP Bob Delany in Mississauga.

Although the MPP was not there, parents were able to address their concerns with office staff

Riding: NEPEAN-CARLETON MPP: LISA MACLEOD (PC)

MacLeod met with them briefly and according to the rally leader, she was personable and welcoming. The rally leader reported that "she appeared to be on board with us -- but we know she is a politician".

Riding: NEWMARKET-AURORA MPP: CHRIS BALLARD (LIB)

30 parents in Aurora rallied outside the office of MPP Chris Ballard.

The doors to the constituency office were locked and the lights were turned off, and yet when one of the leaders called the office, a staff member picked up the phone. They did not want to address the issue with the constituents.

The rally leader reported that she met with MPP Ballard months prior to the rally and he told her that parents approved the sex-ed curriculum. Clearly that is not that case. "I hope he gets the message today".

Another example of complete disdain for democracy.

Since the staff refused to dialogue with the ralliers, participants decided to picket along Wellington Street.

Riding: NIAGARA FALLS MPP: WAYNE GATES (NDP)

About two dozen parents and grandparents rallied outside the office of Wayne Gates in Niagara Falls.

When rally representatives tried to discuss the curriculum with the office staff (MPP Gates was not there), they were told that the “NDP” had nothing to do with it and were told to contact the Education Minister, suggesting that they relocate their protest to her office instead. A rally organizer reported that "the gentleman in the office was offended that we were protesting in front of their office stating that they had nothing to do with this curriculum and we were giving them a bad rap."

Even though no media showed up, participants were encouraged by the amount of supportive honks they recieved from drivers by.

Riding: NIPISSING MPP: VIC FEDELI (PC)

In what was one of the larger rallies across the province, about 75 protesters gathered outside the constituency office of MPP Vic Fedeli to encourage him to speak out against the curriculum.

MPP Fedeli was there and engaged in conversation with rally leaders and other constituents.

Riding: OAKVILLE MPP: KEVIN FLYNN (LIB)

About a dozen parents rallied outside the office of MPP Kevin Flynn in Oakville. One of the rally participants reported that "many vehicles honked in support, including a Pizza Pizza tractor trailer!"

In a report sent to CLC, rally participants agreed that it will be very difficult to withdraw their kids from sex-ed classes because some teachers will be weaving the sex-ed curriculum throughout the day and won't be able to tell us exactly when sex-ed is being covered. "The situation is going to be very difficult and we, as parents, have to be very informed".

These parental concerns are very valid especially when we see examples of teachers in Ontario who force their own sexual ideologies upon kids throughtout various subjects including math.

Need proof? See the following article: "Lesbian: I use math class to teach young kids about homosexuality so I can ‘hide’ it from parents" [here]

Riding: OTTAWA CENTRE MPP: YASIR NAQVI (LIB)

About 15 rally participants picketed the office of MPP Yasir Naqvi in Ottawa.

Although MPP Naqvi was not present, a representative from his office joined the rally to listen to the statement which was read out by a rally leader. She was given a copy of it to pass on to MPP Naqvi.

Rally participants reported that a few media outlets were present for the entire rally and interviewed a few of the participants.

Rally leader reported that "We got a good amount of honking vehicle horns in support of our presence as Mr. Naqvi's office is on a busy off-ramp street."

Riding: OTTAWA SOUTH MPP: JOHN FRASER (LIB)

Approximately 30 people participated in the rally outside MPP John Fraser’s office on a busy intersection in Ottawa.

At the rally, participants signed a petition which was later handed over to the MPP.

A rally leader reported that "The response from passing motorists was positive - lots of honking and waving."

Riding: OTTAWA-ORLEANS MPP: MARIE-FRANCE LALONDE (LIB)

Although their MPP was not there, the team leader read out a statement highlighting various arguments against the sex-ed curriculum to the MPP’s executive assistant. The assistant was also given petitions signed by constituents opposing the curriculum.

Afterwards, participants walked in a cirlce picketing the constituency office with signs sending a visible message to passersby.

The team leader reported that they were offered a private meeting with their MPP later that week.

Riding: OTTAWA-VANIER MPP: MADELEINE MEILLEUR (LIB)

A crowd of about 35 people attended the rally outside the office of MPP Madeleine Meilleur in Ottawa.

Although the MPP was not there, protesters were able to voice their concerns to the MPP’s executive assistant.

Watch video of rally leader Amy Beaudoin present the arguments against the sex-ed curriculum to the MPPs assist and others gathered at the rally [here]

Riding: PERTH-WELLINGTON MPP: RANDY PETTAPIECE (LIB)

Similar to many other locations, participants were encouraged by the amount of friendly honks and thumbs up by drivers by.

The rally leader reported that she "didn't see any any negative responses"

Riding: PETERBOROUGH MPP: JEFF LEAL (LIB)

Organized by the Concerned Parents of Peterborough, the rally outside the office of Peterborough MPP Jeff Leal saw a large group of constituents of all ages send a clear message to their elected representative that the government should "Let Kids be Kids!"

In addition to joining in the province-wide day of protests on Sep 2nd, the Concerned Parents of Peterborough have been organizing monthly protests since May to put pressure on Jeff Leal to listen to parents and to stand up against Wynne's radical sex-ed curriculum.

They also pulled their kids from school for a one day protest similar to the protests in Toronto and they have picketed the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board education centre.

Riding: PRINCE EDWARD-HASTINGS MPP: TODD SMITH (PC)

More than two dozen people showed up at the rally outside MPP Todd Smith’s office in Belleville.

MPP Smith was not present at his office, and when interviewed by the media, he admitted that the governement may have 'rushed' the curriculum but at the end of the day it's necessary and supports it.

The rally leader reported that "this issue is gaining momentum" in the area.

Riding: RENFREW-NIPISSING-PEMBROKE MPP: JOHN YAKABUSKI (PC)

A large crowd of more than 100 concerned parents showed up outside the constituency office of MPP John Yakabuski in Pembroke.

Rally leaders were able to speak to MPP Yakabuski for an hour addressing their concerns with the sex-ed program.

The MPP agreed that parents were not adequately consulted on this curriculum. Participants were also encouraged to be joined by a handful of religious leaders.

Riding: SAULT STE. MARIE MPP: DAVID ORAZIETTI (LIB)

A dozen people rallied with a large banner outside the office of MPP David Orazietti in Sault Ste. Marie.

Rally participants were encouraged by the supportive response they recieved from passing motorists.

Riding: SCARBOROUGH-AGINCOURT MPP: SOO WONG (LIB)

15 people rallied at the office of MPP Soo Wong in Scarborough.

Although the MPP was not there, two Chinese language media outlets interviewed rally participants

Riding: SCARBOROUGH-GUILDWOOD MPP: MITZIE HUNTER (LIB)

In the MPP’s absence, participants voiced their concerns to the office staff.

Ralliers were encouraged by the amount of support they received from passersby.

Rally leader reported "Even though we were a small group, I do believe we made an impact on those we witnessed to. What was most encouraging was the great support we got from all who stopped to talk with us"

Riding: SCARBOROUGH-ROUGE RIVER MPP: BAS BALKISSOON (LIB)

More than two dozen parents and grandparents rallied outside the office of MPP Bas Balkissoon in Scarborough.

Although MPP Balkissoon sent his regrets for not being there, participants expressed their opposition to the curriculum to staff members.

Additionally, unlike in some other cities where MPP staff were rude and accussed constituents of trespassing, threatening to call the cops, MPP Balkissoon's staff were very acccommodating. A police officer did speak to rally participants at this location, saying that they are allowed to express their position, and that they have the right to do so because they are on public grounds.

Rally organizers set up a private meeting with their MPP later that week. At the meeting constituents provided MPP Balkissoon with a letter to Premier Wynne, which he promised to hand deliver on their behalf.

Riding: SIMCOE-GREY MPP: JIM WILSON (PC)

A group of 20 people rallied outside the office of MPP Jim Wilson informing passers and driversby that Wynne's sex-ed curriculum is irresponsible and age-innappropriate.

The rally organizer requested that her MPP send a staff representative to the rally to at least hear the concerns of parents - unfortunately that request was not answered.

Riding: SUDBURY MPP: GLEN THIBEAULT (LIB)

Even though rally leaders only heard about the province-wide protests a day earlier, they were still able to gather more than 25 concerned citizens outside the office of MPP Glen Thibeault in

Sudbury to speak out against Wynne's radical sex-ed curriculum.

Although the MPP was not there to hear the concerns of his constituents, he did release a statement to the media repeating the usual party lines in support of the sex-ed curriculum.

Riding: THUNDER BAY-ATIKOKAN MPP: BILL MAURO (LIB)

Around 30 parents gathered outside the office to MPP Mill Mauro to protest the sex-ed curriculum.

The rally organizer was able to read a statement to MPP Mauro and to those gathered for the rally. A few media outlets were there as well. Unfortunately, MPP Mauro looked very uninterested during the rally and when asked to provide a comment to his constituents at the rally, he refused. He did however defend the radical sex-ed curriculum when speaking to the media, using the same talking points that the government has been using since they introduced the program.

Following the statement, the rally leader handed over a batch of petitions, encouraging MPP Mauro to present them in the legislature.

Riding: WELLINGTON-HALTON HILLS MPP: TED ARNOTT (PC)

According to the rally organizers "Ted was very accommodating, and came right down to meet everyone in the parking lot in person, and listened politely to the speech. He also stayed to answer many questions from our group."

During the rally, participants presented signed petitions on behalf of constituents in the riding.

MPP Arnott told the local media that he agrees with his constituents in that the governement "did not adequately consult with parents before they made the decision to proceed with the implementation of the curriculum"

Additionally, he also said that he "would continue to engage the government on this issue."

Riding: WINDSOR WEST MPP: LISA GRETZKY (NDP)

A few dozen demonstrators rallied outside the office of Windsor West MPP Lisa Gretzky with one clear message: "Let Kids be Kids". In addition to picketing the office of their MPP, the concerned parents and constituents aimed their signs at passers and driversby so that they could also inform the people of Windsor.

Unfortunately, Lisa Gretzky who is the NDP Education critic did not answer the concerns of her constituents and she also did not speak to the media on the issue.

Riding: YORK SOUTH-WESTON MPP: LAURA ALBANESE (LIB)

A large crowd of about 100 concerned citizens rallied at the office of MPP Laura Albanese.

Although she was not there, rally organizers presented signed petitions against the sex-ed curriculum to her office staff.

Participants were encouraged by the presence of a handful of pastors from various faith communities who joined parents in standing up against radical sex-ed.